NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group has become the first CCG in the country to achieve the highest level of NHS finance accreditation.

The Future Focused Finance (FFF) Level 3 Accreditation, issued by the National Finance Leadership Council, has been awarded to Bolton CCG to recognise the outstanding work the organisation has done to meet industry best practice in NHS finance.

Jackie Murray, deputy chief finance officer for Bolton CCG, said: “It is an award for the whole organisation and everyone has contributed to it. It could not have been achieved without the hard work and talent of the staff at the CCG and I would like to thank all of them for their contribution.”

The accreditation will be retained for three years, then the CCG will have to apply again.

It provides external confirmation that the finance team provides a superior service, enabling the wider organisation to provide the best care services possible.

The CCG said a contributing factor to the achievement is the close working relationship between clinical and finance staff.

Dr Wirin Bhatiani, chair of Bolton CCG said: “This is an indicator of the synergy there is between clinical and finance staff at Bolton CCG. We enjoy a transparent and open relationship which helps us achieve our best practice goals and pick up awards such as this. It’s a proud moment for all concerned.”

Dr Charles Hendy is the current chair of the CCG’s Finance & QIPP Committee and in 2015 Dr Steven Liversedge, Bolton CCG’s clinical director of primary care & health improvement, was awarded Clinician of the Year – Working with Finance by the National Healthcare Financial Management Association.

For more information about Future Focused Finance accreditations visit www.futurefocusedfinance.nhs.uk